Pharma Sales Hit Record Rs. 1.251 Trillion, Yet Pakistanis Buy Fewer Medicines

Pakistan's retail pharmaceutical market hit a record high of Rs. 1.251 trillion in the fiscal year 2026, driven by a 14.88% increase in value despite a 1.0% rise in the volume of medicine sold, according to data from the industry and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap). The market, valued at approximately $4.45 billion, continues to expand, outpacing growth in the number of packs and units sold, indicating a shift towards higher-value medicines, price adjustments, and new product introductions.

While the market expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 17.55% over four years, the number of medicine units sold only increased by 0.93% to 3.80 billion during the latest 12-month period. This growth reflects the pressure on household purchasing power and the escalating cost of treatment for patients. National pharmaceutical companies continue to dominate the market, accounting for nearly 80% of the market with sales of Rs.

998.54 billion, which grew by 16.53%. Multinational companies held a 20% share of the market, with sales of Rs. 252.13 billion and an 8.76% increase. However, their unit sales declined by 6.16% to 794 million. The industry recorded its highest monthly retail sales in October 2025 at Rs. 110.89 billion, with sustained monthly sales above Rs.

100 billion in several subsequent months. Leading companies such as Getz Pharma, Abbott, Sami Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, and Martin Dow controlled 96.63% of the market, with Getz Pharma leading at Rs. 85.27 billion annual sales. New medicine launches contributed to a 1.53% share of the market, with national companies launching 982 new products and generating Rs. 19.18 billion in sales.